After multiple knee procedures and a shaky first season with the Lakers, Christian Wood will get a second chance at redemption…if he can stay on the floor.
Welcome to our Lakers Season Preview Series! For the next several weeks, we’ll be writing columns every weekday, breaking down the biggest questions we have about every player the Lakers added this offseason. Today, we take a look at Christian Wood.
Hindsight has a funny way of making geniuses of us all. Knowing what we know now, the Lakers’ pursuit of Christian Wood last offseason may have been a misstep. However, when looking ahead to the new campaign, it is also important to look back and recognize why there was optimism in the first place.
When he signed, Wood was fresh off multiple seasons of shooting the three ball at an above-average clip, carried size and, perhaps most importantly, was radically different from every other big on the roster. He belonged to a strain of modern centers that had eluded the Lakers for years and he could be had for cheap.
Even though his checkered reputation played a role in his landing in Los Angeles on a minimum deal, there was little debate Wood possessed the talent and requisite skills to outplay his contract. This was attractive for a team shouldering a pair of max contracts on their books.
But beyond the perceived rare market value win, the Lakers also hoped Wood could solidify the front court beside and behind Anthony Davis thanks to his spacing ability and physical makeup, a job that many players have tried and failed to do.
Wood would eventually show glimpses of uniquely fitting the bill, but his play never sustained. Like a reflection in a body of water, Wood’s impact dissipated over the year. And eventually, so did his presence on the floor altogether.
Between losing out the backup center minutes to Jaxson Hayes and a midseason arthroscopic surgical procedure that essentially ended his season, Wood never found his footing with the Lakers. Yet the 28-year-old will get a second chance after exercising his player option.
Unfortunately, after undergoing another nearly identical knee procedure, Wood’s second season will begin like his first ended — on the sideline. How he fares when he returns could be one of the pivot points that shape the Lakers’ fortunes.
What is his best-case scenario?
Given the brevity of Wood’s first run in purple and gold, not much has changed in what the Lakers need most from him.
Shoot and be big.
Before joining the Lakers — heard that one before? — Wood was among the league’s best-shooting big men. His comfort level on the perimeter was evident as he canned his 3-point looks at a 38% or better mark in his previous four seasons and did so on credible volume.
With his pedigree, there was hope that Wood’s spacing ability would be a mutually beneficial addition to the team. The likes of LeBron James and Davis would generate more open looks than he had been accustomed to, and in return, Wood would open up the floor for the stars to get downhill.
While there were moments where this came to fruition, Wood’s shooting ultimately nosedived. He would end the year shooting just 31% from behind the arc — his worst conversion rate in any season where he appeared in at least 40 games — and looked out of sorts within the team’s half-court offense.
One potential reason for this may be tied to his utilization. As a previous number-one option on a team, Wood’s dramatic role change to a tertiary option appeared to stifle his rhythm and confidence, especially with the ball in his hands.
According to the league’s tracking data, Wood averaged only 24.3 touches per game with the Lakers. This was significantly down from the 46 number he posted with Dallas and a freefall from the 56.8 touches he logged with Houston two seasons ago.
The combination of his standstill shooter designation and his plummet down the scoring pecking order may have impacted his focus level and, in turn, his efficiency numbers. Wood’s shooting may rebound to his career averages with more experience in his streamlined role and after a few more touches.
Beyond refinding his 3-point stroke, the Lakers will also need Wood to continue to make strides on defense. Ironically, it was here where his impact was most felt. The team allowed nearly three points fewer to their opponents when he was on the floor versus off.
Wood proved switchable in certain settings — he held his own against stars in big moments — and was very helpful on the glass. If he can maintain the highs and be adequate as the sole big when Davis is on the bench, the Lakers will be in much better shape.
What is his worst-case scenario?
There is an argument this current timeline is the worst-case scenario for Wood and the Lakers.
Coming off a frustrating season that featured inconsistent play and injury, the hope was Wood would hit the ground running this year. That will not be the case as he has already experienced a significant setback.
According to the team, Wood recently underwent an “arthroscopic surgical procedure” on his left knee. Although the current timetable states he will be re-evaluated in eight weeks, it is worth noting that this is nearly the same operation that forced Wood to miss the rest of the season a year ago.
In a vacuum, the Lakers should be able to hold down the fort until Wood returns, but his prolonged absence will only shine a brighter spotlight on the glaring holes in the frontcourt.
The current center rotation outside of Davis and Wood is questionable. With only Hayes and Colin Castleton left on the depth chart, the team has begun casting a net for big bodies. They have since emerged as the ‘frontrunners’ to sign center Christian Koloko.
While injuries could never be planned for, the front office’s inability to upgrade their center depth this summer has already proved costly. As a result, the Lakers will now task Davis — who reportedly made it clear he has a “preference to play alongside another big more often” — to carry even more defensive responsibility on his shoulders. This all while attempting to avoid injury himself.
It’s an ask that even Atlas himself would admit is too heavy.
Ideally, Wood will be able to return to the floor in the proximity of his announced timetable for his sake and the team’s. If not, the Lakers will have to live with the consequences of their inactions.
What is his most likely role on the team?
In the scenario Wood comes back healthy, he will most likely be thrust into helping duct tape the center minutes.
Due to his injury and Hayes’ strong end to last season, Wood will presumably begin his year as the team’s third-string big. However, that could change depending on his play and other factors.
For example, there will be nights where the matchup may dictate Wood playing more minutes. Whether it’s helping open up the floor against a zone or using his length against a particularly potent perimeter scorer, having multiple options available at his disposal will be helpful for a first-time head coach like JJ Redick.
Speaking of Redick, it also remains to be seen which players he gives the nod to in certain positional battles. He may ultimately just favor Wood’s skillset over Hayes, specifically in regards to a potential 5-out attack.
Although his injury has put a sizable roadblock in his path, there is a world where Wood can still reward that initial optimism fans and the team had when he first signed. But It’s going to take a lot of hard work, some health luck and a few more shots going in to do so.
If not, he could find himself on the outside looking in on the rotation or another team altogether.
All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass unless otherwise stated. You can follow Alex on Twitter at @AlexmRegla.